Clayton has been playing, singing, and songwriting since about the time Harry Nilsson's The Point! was released. His touring credits include playing for French superstar Julien Clerc, and alongside Aimee Mann, with whom he co-wrote the song Invisible Ink.

Along with his band Francine, Clayton's music has been placed in many films and television programs, including the series The OC, as well as programs on MTV, MTV2, Comedy Central, MSNBC, PBS, Discovery Channel, and the Cartoon Network.